The first paragraph was supposed to be with the last chapter, but it never uploaded. Damn machine. I've been really busy with school and finding out I need an operation on my eye, you know, the usual. Actually, the eye thing isn't that bad in comparison to some of the other people in the world. Can anybody guess how old I am? It's interesting to see what different people's perspective is of me. I'll tell y'all in the next chapter, as long as people review, review, review!

BTW, the song is "Trust Me Baby. This Is Love" by Amanda Marshall.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Things run smoothly. Lydecker calls.

"Hey."

"It's me. The technician will be in town in two days."

"Really? That's great."

"Can you meet me?"

"No, I'm busy. Call back later."

We talk all night. I show her pictures and I feel closer to her than I have ever felt to anyone. She doesn't judge, just listens. I know deep down that she isn't ready. Not yet. But soon. Soon she'll learn what she means to me.

"C'mon, it'll be fun." I plead. I didn't think it would be this difficult to convince Logan to come to the Crash tonight. Another singing competition, and I want him to watch. "I promise it'll be fun. You wouldn't want me to be miserable, do you?"

"When you put it that way." he gives me a mischievous smile.

Deep down I know that this isn't where I should be. I'm sitting at the table next to the one we sat at two day ago. Max is up next. Even from a distance I notice her nervousness. An odd thought, but no more bizarre then anything else that had occurred in the last 48 hours.

The act finishes, and Max steps up to the microphone. More than one guy lets out a wolf whistle. I can hardly blame them.

"Sorry boys, but I'm already taken. Well sorta." She flashes me a joking grin. "He's a little weird, but really a bad guy. I'm only kidding. Just getting my revenge. Can you believe that I had to drag him here?"

"You couldn't get me to leave the house if I was banging you either."

"Which is why I'm not sleeping with you." She handles it well, better then she would have a while ago, when she would have flown off the handle. Maybe I'm wrong, but she's grown from the girl I first met. "Anyways, I was shifting through his CD collection when I came across this song. It's an excellent song, plus I needed something that was easy to memorize."

The audience gave an appreciative chuckle. As Max begins to sing, I'm captivated by her voice.

I look at this mountain

So many heart aches wide



I step up to the mike, and I feel this rush of excitement. I know Logan will appreciate this song, when I heard it I thought of him. Then again, almost everything makes me think of him. I can't help but feel that the songwriter knew us. I belt it out perfectly, another advantage to genetic enhancement.



I look at this mountain

So many heart aches wide

And I can't help but wonder

Where's the other side

I've got to be honest

I've got my doubts

These tears are asking me

What's this got to do with love?

Baby, I'll tell you something

To help us through this long, dark night

I give Logan a pointed look. He grins back. It knows the song. He should, I found it at his house.

When this trouble passes over

You and I will walk away

Knowing that our love survived

Another test of faith

You and I can walk on water

The river rises, we rise above

It may not look that way right now

But trust me, baby....this is love.

Love isn't easy

I'm torn, I confess

when a heart is uncertain

It's bound to second guess

This love won't forsake us

So dry your tears I promise you

When this trouble passes over

You and I will walk away

Knowing that our love survived

Another test of faith

You and I can walk on water

The river rises, we rise above

It may not look that way right now

But trust me, baby....this is love.



I'm here for you baby

There's nothing I want more

Our day is coming

And we'll reach that peaceful shore



When this trouble passes over

You and I will walk away

Knowing that our love survived

Another test of faith

Cause you and I can walk on water

The river rises, we rise above

It may not look that was right now

But trust me, baby...this is love

One more mountain

Hey...so what

Trust me baby...this is love

The crowd erupts into a frenzied applause when I step off the stage.

Two sets of arms grab me from behind. "Where do you think you're going?"